ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday that O'Brien may be on more short lists for NFL teams — including the Browns and the Eagles — than Oregon coach Chip Kelly, according to league sources.

The 6-foot-4, 212-pound Hackenberg said he spoke with O'Brien about NFL jobs "a month or two ago."

"He's not worried about it," Hackenberg, who is also the No. 16 player in the nation, said. "He's worried about coaching Penn State."

If O'Brien left before signing day on Feb. 6, Hackenberg said he likely would reconsider his options.

"I'd think about it," Hackenberg said. "He was a big part of it. He's the guy who's going to develop me. That's one of the big things I looked at. I'll see what happens."

Sources told ESPN that O'Brien has a significant buyout of $9.2 million but it is unknown whether it pertains to an NFL opportunity. The NCAA sanctions that O'Brien did not anticipate also could become a point of contention as it relates to a buyout, sources added.